Who Discovered the Constellation Taurus?

Introduction

Taurus is one of the earliest discovered constellations in the world. It is the second sign of the Zodiac falling between Aries and Gemini. Taurus is made up of two groups of stars: the Pleiades and the Hyades. It is quite prominent in the northern hemisphere during winter.
Discovery of Constellation Taurus

It is not known who discovered the constellation Taurus first. But the constellation was always identified by the ancients with a bull. Some say this connection dates back to the Upper Paleolithic Era. One archeologist believes the Bull is depicted in 17,000 year old caves in Lascaux.

Many references were made to Taurus in early history. The Sumerians said it rose in the sky during the spring. This suggests that the constellation was on the Vernal Equinox some 4,000 to 2,000 BC, the “Age of the Bull” in astrology. The Babylonians catalogued Taurus as “the Heavenly Bull.” The Greeks identified it with the divine bull that carried off Europa. Taurus was known to Akkadian astronomers as well.

Taurus in Mythology
Greek mythology tells how the god Zeus fell in love with Europa, a Phoenician princess. She was always surrounded by royal guards. Getting to her wasn’t easy even for the king of Olympus. So Zeus sent a beautiful white bull with golden horns to be near her. Europa saw this bull frolicking in the meadows. She would pet the bull and grew quite fond of it. One day she rode on its back. The bull seized this chance and carried her off to his master in the island of Crete. There Zeus married her and they had three sons. He rewarded the bull by transforming him into the constellation Taurus. (Another version of the story says Zeus himself was the bull.)

Taurus in Astrology

In astrology, Taurus is classified as an earth sign. Each element can have three modalities in astrology: cardinal, fixed or mutable. Taurus has a fixed modality making it the most stubborn and resistant of all the twelve Zdoac signs. People born between April 21 and May 21 are said to be born under the sign of the bull in western astrology. Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus. She is believed to give Taureans many artistic gifts like music, singing and painting. Taurus is associated with the second house in astrology dealing with money and resources. So Taureans are supposed to be good with banking, accounting and finances. Famous people of this sign include Stevie Wonder, David Beckham, Czar Nicholas II of Russia, Florence Nightingale and Queen Elizabeth II of England.